SmartStop Post-Game Recap – A Big Win in Flint

After a great effort in Flint, the Steelheads closed out the Western road trip with a 2-1 win.

First Period

The Mississauga Steelheads finished off their Western road trip in Flint as they took on the Firebirds for the first of two meetings this season. These two clubs have not met since February 21, 2020. 

It was a goaltender’s duel in the first period, with both Alessio Beglieri and Flint’s Will Cranley stopping all of the shots faced on either side of the ice. The Steelheads found themselves on the power play early in the game, giving them their best chance of the period when James Hardie’s shot on goal created a rebound off of Cranley, where Luca Del Bel Belluz grabbed the puck and took another shot. The Steelheads’ chance was eventually saved and allowed for Flint to kill off their penalty.  

Both teams played a strong defensive period, not letting their opponent get on the scoreboard. The period came to a close sending both teams to the second period tied at zero. 

Shots on Goal – 9 FLNT/15 MISS

Second Period

After a quiet first period, the Steelheads came out with a bang as soon as the puck was dropped to start the second period. Multiple Steelheads players created a rush to enter the Firebirds zone where Del Bel Belluz fed the puck to Hardie. Just entering the zone, Hardie received the puck and shot a laser that trickled past Cranley, putting the Steelheads up 1-0 fifteen seconds into the period. Ethan Mastro also received an assist on the opening goal.

The Firebirds did not take kindly to the Steelheads goal as they came back quickly to tie the game 1:46 after Hardie’s goal. Brennan Othmann put Flint on the board, as he split the Trout defenders and shot the puck through the five hole to beat Beglieri.

Following the goals by both teams, the physicality of offensive pressure picked up at the midway point of the period. While in the Firebirds’ zone, Zakary Lavoie managed to get a shot off that led to a rebound, where Hardie was able to get another shot. With Cranley spinning in the crease trying to do all he can to keep the Trout from taking the lead, the puck was picked up by Del Bel Belluz who tipped it home with 4:52 left in the second period. Blue Jackets prospect’s eighth of the year gave the Steelheads a 2-1 lead to end the frame.

Shots on Goal – 9 FLNT/16 MISS

Third Period

It was adapt and overcome for the Steelheads in the third period, as the team found themselves shorthanded multiple times throughout the frame. Beglieri was challenged with many shots on the ensuing penalty kills, but he made several key saves to keep the Trout up by one. 

After the Steelheads successful penalty kills, Zander Veccia got the best chance of the period after he broke up a Firebirds play in the neutral zone to break into the Firebirds territory on a one-on-one. Veccia’s chance came with just five minutes left in the frame, where he was able to let off a shot sending the puck just wide of the Flint goal.

With 1:11 remaining in the period, Brice Cooke was sent off for a slashing call, and the Firebirds made the decision to pull Cranley to get the extra man for a six-on-four power play. Pushing as hard as they could, the Steelheads were able to stay strong with Beglieri making an incredible buzzer-beating save to defeat Flint 2-1.

Shots on Goal – 9 FLNT/4 MISS

Total Shots – 27 FLNT/35 MISS

Three Stars:

1. Luca Del Bel Belluz (1G, 1A)
2. James Hardie (1G, 1A)
3. Brennan Othmann (1G)

With the Steelheads finishing off their road trip with a win, the team picked up three of a possible six points this weekend. Mississauga will return home to face the Windsor Spitfires on Saturday November 5 for the 5th Annual Pucks N’ Paws Game. You can purchase your tickets to the game by clicking here.